GATE EC - 1998

SECTION - A
For each of the following (1.1 œ 1.40) four alternatives (A, B, C and D) are given,
1. out of which ONLY ONE is correct. Indicate the correct answer by writing (A, B, C
or D) as appropriate, against the corresponding question number in the answer
book.

1.1 A network has 7 nodes and 5 independent loops. The number of branches in the
network is
(a) 13 (b) 12 (c) 11 (d) 10

»0 1ÿ
1.2 The eigen values of the matrix A = … Ÿare
1 0⁄
(a) 1,1 (b) -1,-1 (c) j,-j (d) 1,-1


lim ()
ft
1.3 Iff t( ) = s2 +  then the value of
t →∞
,
2

(a) cannot be determined (b) is zero

(c) is unity (d) is infinite

1.4 The trigonometric Fourier series of a periodic time function can have only
(a) cosine terms (b) sine terms
(c) cosine and sine terms (d) d.c. and cosine terms

1.5 The nodal method of circuit analysis is based on

(a) KVL and Ohm‘s law (b) KCL and Ohm‘s law
(c) KCL and KVL (d) KCL, KVL and Ohm‘s law

1.6 Superposition theorem is NOT applicable to networks containing

(a) nonlinear elements (b) dependent voltage sources
(c) dependent current sources (d) transformers

1.7 The parall RLC circuit shown in Fig.1.7 is in resonance. In this cicuit
(a) IR< 1mA
IR IL IC
(b) 1
IR+ IL> mA 1mA RMS R L
(c) 1
IR+ IC< mA
(d) 1
IR+ IC> mA
 GATE EC - 1998
1.8 A periodic signal x(t) of period Tois given by
À1, t < T
Π1
T
() = Ã o
xt
Œ0, T < t <
Õ 2 1

The d.c. component of x(t) is

2 (d) T0
(a) T1 (b) T1 (c) T1
T 2T
0 0 T T 1
0

1.9 The unit impulse response of a linear time invariant system is the unit step
function u(t). For t>0, the response of the system ot an excitation
e− atu t( ) , a > 0 will be

(a) ae− at (b) )(c) a ) (d) 1

» 1ÿ
…0 Ÿ
− e− at
(−1 e− at
−

1.10 The short-circuit admittance matrix of a two-port network is … 2Ÿ

…10Ÿ
…
2 Ÿ
The two port network is
(a) non-reciprocal and passive (b) non-reciprocal and active
(c) reciprocal and passive (d) reciprocal and active

1.11 The voltage across the terminals a and b in Fig.1.11 is

(a) 0.5 V 2Ω
(b) 3.0 V a 1Ω

(c) 3.5 V + - 2Ω 3A
(d) 4.0 V 1V

1.12 The electron and hole concentrations in a intrinsic semiconductor are ni and pi
respectively. When doped with a p-type material, these change to n and p,
respectively. Then
(a) n + p = n+ (b) n + ni= + p p (c) npi= n pi (d) np = n pii
i pi i

1.13 IffTof BJT is related to its gm, C and C∝ as follows:

( )
(a) fT= C C
+
(b) fT= e C + C
∝ ∝

=
gm = gm
gm gm
+
(c) f (d) f
T
C C∝ T ( )
+
2 C C∝
 GATE EC - 1998
1.14 The static characteristic of an adequately forward biased p-n junction is a straight
line, if the plot is of
(a) log I vs. log V (b) log I vs. V (c) I vs. log V (d) I vs. V

1.15 A long specimen of p-type semiconductor material

(a) is positively charged
(b) is electrically neutral
(c) has an electric field directed along its length
(d) acts as a dipole
∞

1.16 The Z-transform of the time function ƒ ( )

 n − k is
=
k 0

Z
−
1
Z (c)
Z (d) ( − 1)
Z
2

(a) Z (b) Z
Z− 1 ( Z − 1) 2

1.17 The number of roots ofs3+ 5s2+ 7s + = 3 0 in the left half of the s-plane is
(a) zero (b) one (c) two (d) three

1.18 The transfer function of a tachometer is of the form

(a) Ks (b) KK K
s (d)
(c) ( s + 1) ( 1)
ss+
1.19. Consider a unity feedback control system with open-loop transfer function
K

() = ( 1) .The steady state error of the system due to a unit step input is

G ss s+

(a) zero (b) K (c) 1 (d) infinite

K
1.20. The transfer function of a zero-order-hold system is

(a) ≈ ’1 ( + e− )
1 sT (b) ≈’ (
∆÷ ∆ ÷11 − e− sT )
«◊
«s s
◊ 1
(c) 1 sT (d) 1 1 «◊
− −∆≈÷e’ - −160−
5 ∆ ÷sTe
3
+
«s s
◊
1.21. In the Bode-plot of a unity feedback control system, the value of phase of G(j )
at the gain cross over frequency is œ125°. The phase margin of the system is
(a) -125° (b) -55° (c) 55° (d) 125°
 GATE EC - 1998

1.22. Consider a feedback control system with loop transfer fucntion

K( + s)
1 0.5
() ( )
s ( 1 + s)( 1 + 2s)
=
The type of the closed loop system is
(a) zero (b) one (c) two (d) three

1.23. The transfer function of a phase lead controller is 1+ 3Ts . The maximum value of
1 + Ts
phase provided by this controller is
(a) 90° (b) 60° (c) 45° (d) 30°

1.24. The Nyquist plot of a phase transfer function g(j ) H(j ) of a system encloses the
(-1,0) point. The gain margin of the system is
(a) less than zero (b) zero
(c) greater than zero (d) infinity

1.25 The transfer function of a system is 2s2+ 6s + 5

( s + 1) ( s + 2)
The characteristic equation of the system is
(a) 2s2+ 6s + = 5 0 (b) (s + ) ( s )
2 = 0
2 + )( + )
2+6s5) () + +++ 1 (
(c) s s 1 s 2 = 0 (d) 2s2+ 6s + − s+1 s 2 = 0

1.26 In a synchro error detector, the output voltage is proportional to » ( ) ÿ⁄ , where

n

 () is the rotor velocity and n equals

(a) -2 (b) -1 (c) 1 (d) 2

1.27 Two identical FETs, each characterissed by the parameters gm and rdare
connected in parall . The composite FET is then characterized by the parameters
gm gm rd
(a) and 2rd (b) and (c) 2gm and rd(d) 2gm and 2rd
2 2 2 2

+VCC
1.28 The circuit of Fig.1.28 is an example of
feedback of the following type VO
(a) current series
(b) current shunt
(c) voltage series Vi ~
(d) voltage shunt
GATE EC - 1998

1.29 In a differential amplifier, CMRR can be improved by using an increased

(a) emitter resistance (b) collector resistance
(c) power supply voltages (d) source resistance

1.30 From a measurement of the rise time of the output pulse of an amplifier whose
input is a small amplitude square wave, one can estimate the following
parameter of the amplifier:
(a) gain-bandwidth product (b) slow rate
(c) upper 3-dB frequency (d) lower 3-dB frequency

1.31 A distorted sinusoidal has the amplitudes A A1,2, A3> of the fundamental, second
harmonic, third harmonic, > respectively. The total harmonic distortion is

+ +> 2+ 2+>
(a) A2 A3 (b)
A2 A3
A1 A1

A22 + A32 + > ≈ 2+A2+ >’

A23
(c) (d) ∆ ÷
2 2+ A2 ∆ A ÷
A1+ A2 3 > « 1 ◊

1.32 The emitter coupled pair of BJT‘s gives a linear transfer relation between the
differential output voltage and the differential input voltage Vidonly when the
magnitude ofVidis less 〈 times the thermal voltage, where 〈 is
(a) 4 (b) 3 (c) 2 (d) 1

1.33 In a shunt-shunt negative feedback amplifier, as compared to the basic amplifier

(a) both, input and output impedances, decrease
(b) input impedance decreases but output impedance increases
(c) input impedance increases but output impedance decreases
(d) both, input and output impedances increase

1.34 A multistage amplifier has a low-pass response with three real poles at s = - 1,
- and  3. The approximate overall bandwidth B of the amplifier will be given by
2

1 1 1 1
(a) B =  1+  2+  3 (b) = + +
B 
1

(c) ( (d) 
2
B=  + +

1 2  3 + 
1
B=
)3
 1 2+

 22
2 3
GATE EC - 1998

1.35 A high Q-quartz crystal exhibits series resonance at the frequency  sand parallel
resonance at the frequency  p. Then

(a)  sis very close to, but less than  p. (b)  s0  p.

(c)  sis very close to, but greater than  p. (d)  s2  p.

1.36 One input terminal of high gain comparator circuit is connected to ground and a
sinusoidal voltage is applied to the other input. The output of comparator will be
(a) a sinusoid (b) a full rectified sinusoid
(c) a half rectified sinusoid (d) a square wave

1.37 In a series regulated power supply circuit, the voltage gain Avof the ”pass‘
transistor satisfies the condition:
(a) Av‰ ∞ (b) 1 0 Av< ∞ (c) Av=1 (d) Av0 1

1.38 For full wave rectification, a four diode bridge rectifier is claimed to have the
following advantages over a two diode circuit:
(1) less expensive transformer
(2) smaller size transformer, and
(3) suitability for higher voltage application.
Of these,
(a) only (1) and (2) are true (b) only (1) and (3) are true
(c) only (2) and (3) are true (d) (1), (2) as well as (3) are true

1.39 In the MOSFET amplifier of Fig.1.39, the signal outputs V1 and V2 obey the
relationship
V2
(a) V = RD
+
12 V1
V
2
(b) V =
12
+ -
+ V2
(c) V1= 2V2 RD -
Vi ~
2
(d) V1= − 2V2 -
-

1.40 the units ofqare

kT

(a) V (b) V − 1 (c) J (d) J

K
 GATE EC - 1998

2. For each of the following (2.1 œ 2.40) four alternatives (A, B, C and D) are given,
out of which ONLY ONE is correct. Indicate the correct answer by writing (A, B, C
or D) as appropriate, against the corresponding question number in the answer
book.

2.1 The minimum number of 2-input NAND gates required to implement the Boolean
function Z = A B C , assuming that A, B and C are available, is
(a) two (b) three (c) five (d) six

2.2 The noise margin of a TTL gate is about

(a) 0.2 V (b) 0.4 V (c) 0.6 V (d) 0.8 V

2.3 In Fig.2.3, A = 1 and B =1, the input B is now replaced by a sequence 101010….
the outputs x and y will
A X
(a) fixed at 0 and 1, respectively
(b) x = 1010 …. while y = 0101 ….
(c) x = 1010 …. and y = 0101 ….
(d) fixed at 1 and 0, respectively

B Y

2.4 An equivalent 2‘s complement representation of the 2‘s complement number

1101 is
(a) 110100 (b) 001101 (c) 110111 (d) 111101

2.5 The threshold voltage for each transistor in Fig.2.5, is 2V. For this circuit to work
as an inverter, Vi must take the values
(a) -5 V and 0 V
(b) -5 V and 5 V
(c) -0 V and 3 V
(d) 3 V and 5 V Vi VO

-5V
2.6 An I/O processor control the flow of information between
(a) cache memory and I/O devices (b) main memory and I/O devices
(c) two I/O devices (d) cache and main memories
 GATE EC - 1998

2.7 Two 2‘s complement number having sign bits x and y are added and the sign bit
of the result is z. Then, the occurrence of overflow is indicated by the Boolean
function
(a) x y z (b) xyz
(c) xyz+ xyz (d) xy + yz + zx

2.8 The advantage of using a dual slope ADC in a digital voltmeter is that
(a) its conversion time is small (b) its accuracy is high
(c) it gives output in BCD format (d) it does not require a comparator

2.9 For the identify AB + AC BC = AB + AC, the dual form is

(a) ( ) ( ) ( )( ) ( )
A+ B A+ CB+ C A+ B A+ C

) ( )( ) ( ) ( )
(b)
=
A+ B A+ CB+ C A+ B A+ C
(
(c) ( ) ( )
( ) = ( ) ( )
A+ B A+ CB+ C A+ B A+ C
(d) AB+ ACBC= AB+ AC

2.10 An instruction used to set the carry Flag in a computer can be classified as
(a) data transfer (b) arithmetic
(c) logical (d) program control

2.11 Fig.2.11 shows a mod-K

counter, here K is equal to
(a) 1 J Q J Q
(b) 2
K Q 1 K Q
(c) 3
(d) 4
CLK
2.12 The current I through resistance r in the circuit shown in Fig.2.12 is
r

I
R R R 2R
-
R 2R +
2R 2R

0 V 0
−V V V V
(a) 12R (b) 12R (c) 6R (d) 3T
GATE EC - 1998

2.13 The K-map for a Boolean function is shown in Fig.2.13. The number of essential
prime implicants for this function is
AB
(a) 4 00 01 11 10
CD
(b) 5 00 1 1 0 1
(c) 6
(d) 8 01 0 0 0 1

11 1 0 0 0

10 1 0 0 1

2.14 For small signal a.c. operation, a practical forward biased diode can be modeled
as
(a) a resistance and a capacitance in series
(b) an ideal diode and resistance in parall
(c) a resistance and an ideal diode in series
(d) a resistance

2.15 The amplitude spectrum of a Gaussian pulse is

(a) uniform (b) a sine function
(c) Gaussian (d) an impulse function

2.16 The ACF of a rectangular pulse of duration T is

(a) a rectangular pulse of duration T
(b) a rectangular pulse of duration 2T
(c) a triangular pulse of duration T
(d) a triangular pulse of duration 2T

2.17 The image channel selectivity of super heterodyne receiver depends upon
(a) IF amplifiers only (b) RF and IF amplifiers only
(c) Preselector, RF and IF amplifiers
(d) Preselector, and RF amplifiers only

2.18 In a PCM system with uniform quantization, increasing the number of bits from 8
to 9 will reduce the quantization noise power by factor of
(a) 9 (b) 8 (c) 4 (d) 2
 GATE EC - 1998

2.19 The Fourier transform of a function x(t) is X(f). The Fourier transform of
dX will be
f( )
df
() ()
dX f Xf
(a) (b) j fX f2 ( ) (c) jfX f( ) (d)
df jf

2.20 Flat top sampling of low pass signals

(a) gives rise to aperture effect (b) implies over sampling
(c) leads to aliasing (d) introduces delay distortion

2.21 A DSB-SC signal is generated using the carrier cos ( )

x(t). The envelope of the DSB-SC signal is  et +  and modulating singal
(a) x(t) (b) x t( )
(c) only positive portion of x(t) (d) x(t) cos

2.22 Quadrature multiplexing is

(a) the same as FDM (b) the same as TDM
(c) a combination of FDM and TDM
(d) quite different from FDM and TDM

2.23 The Fourier transform of a voltage signal x(t) is X(f). The unit ofX f( ) is
(a) volt (b) volt-sec (c) volt/sec (d) volt2

2.24 Compression in PCM refers to relative compression of

(a) higher signal amplitudes (b) lower signal amplitudes
(c) lower signal frequencies (d) higher signal frequencies

2.25 For a given data rate, the bandwidth Bpof a BPSK signal and the bandwidth B0 of
the OOK signal are related as
B B
(a) = 0 (b) = 0 (c) (d)
Bp4 Bp2 Bp= B0 Bp= 2B0

2.26 The spectral density of a real valued random process has

(a) an even symmetry (b) an odd symmetry
(c) a conjugate symmetry (d) no symmetry

2.27 The probability density function of the envelope of narrow band Gaussion noise is
(a) Poisson (b) Gaussian (c) Rayleigh (d) Rician
 GATE EC - 1998

2.28 The intrinsic impedance of copper at high frequencies is

(a) purely resistive (b) purely inductive
(c) complex with a capacitive component
(d) complex with an inductive component

∂D
2.29 The Maxwell equation V ⋅ H = J ∂t is based on
(a) Ampere‘s law
(b) Gauss‘ law
(c) Faraday‘s law
(d) Coulomb‘s law
λ λ
2.30 All transmission line sections 8 2
shown in Fig.2.30 have
Zin 2R0
characteristic impedance
R + j0. The
o input impedance
Zinequals

(a) 2(b) Ro Ro
3Ro 2

(c) 3 1
(d) 2Ro
R 4
2 o

2.31 The time averages Poynting vector, in W/m2, for a wave with
gd
(  )d
g

E= 24ej t+ zay V/m in free space is

g g g 4.8g
(d) az
(a) − 2.4
az (b) 2.4az (c) 4.8az −

2.32 The wavelength of a wave with propagation constant (0.1 +j0.2 )m-1 is

(a) 2 m (b) 10 m (c) 20 m (d) 30 m

0.05

2.33 The depth of penetration of wave in a lossy dielectric increases with increasing
(a) conductivity (b) permeability (c) wavelength (d) permittivity

gd (
) ( g)g

2.34 The polarization of wave with electric field vector E= Ee j t+ z is

+
  ax ay
0
(a) linear (b) elliptical
(c) left hand circular (d) right hand circular
 GATE EC - 1998

2.35 The vector H in the far field of an antenna satisfies

ggd ggd ggd ggd
(a) ∇.H = 0 and ∇ ⋅ H = 0 (b) ∇.H ≠ 0 and ∇ ⋅ H ≠ 0
g g g g
(c) ∇.H = 0 and ∇ ⋅ H ≠ 0
g g
(d) ∇.Hg≠ 0 and ∇ ⋅ Hg= 0

2.36 The radiation resistance of a circular loop of one turn is 0.01Ω. The radiation
resistance of five turns of such a loop will
(a) 0.002Ω (b) 0.01Ω (c) 0.05Ω (d) 0.25Ω

2.37 An antenna in free space receives 2µW of power when the incident electric field is
20 mV/m rms. The effective aperture of the antenna is
(a) 0.005 m2 (b) 0.05 m2 (c) 1.885 m2 (d) 3.77 m2

2.38 The maximum usable frequency of an ionospheric layer at 60° incidence and with
8 mHz critical frequency is

(a) 16 MHz (b) 16MHz (c) 8 MHz

3
(d) about 6.93 MHz

d g
( +  ) a T The
2.39 A loop is rotating about the y-axis in a magnetic field Eg= B0cos t x .
voltage in the loop is
(a) zero (b) due to rotation only
(c) due to transformer action only
(d) due to both rotation and transformer action

2.40 The far field of an antenna varies with distance r as

(a) 1(b) 1(c) 1 (d) 1

r r2 r3 r

3. Determine the frequency of resonance and the resonant impedance of the parall
circuit shown in Fig.3. What happens when L = CR2?
L R

C R
 GATE EC - 1998

4. A voltage source of internal impedance Rs+ jXssupplies power to a load of

impedance RL+ jXLin which only RLis variable. Determine the value of RLfor
maximum power transfer from the source to the load. Also, find the numerical
value ofRLif the source impedance is 3.0Ω (purely resistive) and X1is 4.0Ω.

5. (a) Draw the transfer characteristic of the circuit of Fig.5, assuming both D1 and
D2 to be ideal.
(b) How would the characteristic change if D2 is ideal, but D1 is non-ideal in that
it has forward resistance of 10Ω and a reverse resistance of infinity?

1KΩ

+
+ D1 D2
Vi 1KΩ
V o
- 1V
2V

6. Given an irrotational vector field

g
( 3
) g + ( 2
) g + ( 2
) g

Fd= k xy1+ k z2ax 3x − k Z a3y 3xz − y az

g
Find V. F at (1,1,-2).

SECTION B
(50 Marks)
Answer any TEN questions. Each question carries 5 marks.

7. The loop transfer function of a single loop control system is given by

100 −
( ) ( ) = s( e sT

1 + 0.01s)
Using the Nyquist criterion, find the condition for the closed loop system to be
stable.

8. The characteristic equation of a feedback control system is

4+ 3+ 2+ 2s + K = 0
s 20s 15s
(i) Determine the range of K for the system to be stable.
(ii) Can the system be marginally stable? If so, find the required value of K and
the frequency of sustained oscillation.
 GATE EC - 1998

9. Draw a signal flow graph for the following set of algebraic equations:
y2= ay1− gy3
y3= ey2+ cy4
y4= by2− dy4
y2y
Hence, find the gains and 3
y
y1

10. Consider the system shown in Fig.10. Determine the value of such that the
damping ratio is 0.5. Also obtain the values of the rise time trand maximum
overshoot Mpin its step response.

R(s) 16 C(s)
+
( )
- s s + 0.8

(1+as)

11. Determine the input impedance of the circuit of Fig.11 and investigate if it can be
inductive.

R2

-
C
+
Z(s)
R1

12. Find the value ofR′ in the circuit of Fig.12 for generating sinusoidal oscillations.
Find the frequency of oscillations.
R′

R
- C R
+
R C
 GATE EC - 1998

13. In the circuit of Fig.13, determine the resistance R0 seen by the output
terminals. Ignore the effects ofR1 and R2.
+VCC

R1
1K
=99
r =1L
R2 5kR
VS ~ 1K RO

+12V
14. The JFET in the circuit of Fig.14 is characterized by
the parameters I = 4MA and Vp= − 4 .
DSS 2k
Find (a) V0 ifVi= 0, and
(b) Vi ifV0= 0 +
Vo
2k -
+
Vi
-
-12V

15. The mod-5 counter shown in Fig.15 counts through states

=
Q Q Q2 1 0 000, 001, 010, 011 and 100
(a) Will the counter lockout if it happen to be in any one of the unused states?
(b) Find the maximum rate at which the counter will operate satisfactorily.
Assume the propagation delays of flip-flop and AND gate to be tF and tA
respectively.

J2 Q2
J0 Q0 J1 Q1

1 K0 Q 0
K1 Q1 K2 Q 2

CLK
 GATE EC - 1998

16. For the TTL circuit shown in Fig.16, find the current through the collector of
transistor Q4 when V0 = 0.2V.
Assume VCE sat( ) = 0.2 ,V  = 100 and () = V The 〈 ofQ1in its inverse active
0.7 .
mode is 0.01. VBE sat
5V

500K
40K 20K

Q2
A Q4
Q1 VD

Q3

12K

17. Write a short assembly language program, without using any arithmetic
instruction, to store hexadecimal 5D in the flag register of 8085 microprocessor.
Data in other registers of the processor must not alter upon executing this
program.

18. Implement a monostable multivibrator using the timer circuit shown in Fig.18.
Also determine an expression for ON time T of the output pulse.
VCC

R
Comparator 1
-
Threshold
+ S Q Output
R
Comparator 2
Trigger 2
- R Q
+

R
Discharge

GND

19. The pulse rate in a DM system is 56,000 per sec. The input signal is 5
cos(2 1000t) + 2cos(2 2000t) V, with t in sec. Find the minimum value of step
size which will avoid slop overload distortion. What will be the disadvantages of
choosing a value of larger than the minimum?
 GATE EC - 1998

20. An SSB signal is demodulated by using a synchronous demodulator. However,

the locally arranged carrier has a phase error  . Determine the effect of the error
on demodulation. What will be the effect of this error if the input is DSB-SC in
place of SSB?

21. White noise of two-sided spectral density 2 ⋅ 10-6 V2/Hz is applied to a simple R-C
low pass filter whose 3dB cut off requency is 4 kHz. Find the mean squared
value of the noise output.

T T
22. Consider a rectangular pulse g(t) existing between t= −
2 and t= . Find and
2
sketch the pulse obtained by convolving g(t) with itself. The Fourier transform of
g(t) is a sine function. Write down to Fourier transform of the pulse obtained by
the above convolution.

23. A rectangular wave guide with inner dimensions 6 cm ⋅ 3 cm has been designed
for a single mode operation. Find the possible frequency range of operations such
that the lowest frequency is 5% above the cut off and the highest frequency is
5% below the cut off of the next higher mode.

gd ( )g
 
24. A plane wave with E= 10ej t− zay is incident normally on a thick plane
conductor lying in the x-y plane. Its conductivity is 6 ⋅ 106 S/m and surface
impedance is 5 ⋅ 10-4∠45°Ω. Determine the propagation constant and the skin
depth in the conductor.
25. The electric field vector of a wave is given as
g g g
gd
(  + 3x a + a + a
−4 )8 6
5 V m.
E= Ee0 i t y x y z
125
Its frequency is 10 GHz.
(i) Investigate if this wave is a plane wave.
(ii) Determine its propagation constant, and
(iii) Calculate the phase velocity in y-direction.

26. The region between a pair of parall perfectly conducting planes of infinite extent
in the y- and œz directions is partiall illed with a dielectric as shown in Fig.26. A
30 GHz TE10wave is incident on the air dielectric interface as shown. Find the
VSWR at the interface. x

Air ∑r=4 5cm

24cm